Health

It’s winter: Where’s your vitamin D?

Health

It’s winter: Where’s your vitamin D?

Ask yourself this question: When’s the last time you saw the sun? If you’re anything like me, you take the -30 windchill as an excuse to hibernate. When you have to head out on these super cold days, you bundle up, covering all your skin, and dart as quickly as you can to get to the cover of a car, subway or bus. Forget those leisurely long walks you enjoy in the summertime. That doesn’t give us much time in the sun. So where are you getting the vitamin D you need? Sure, you can get some D from milk, fish or mushrooms, but experts have told us again and again that the sun in the best source. When you’re not catching any rays, chances are you’re not getting enough vitamin D. (If you’re not sure if you might be deficient, you can get a blood test from your doctor to find out.) Vitamin D is important to your body’s everyday functions, such as
building bone (it helps you properly absorb and use calcium), and regulating your immune system. But the vitamin is also particularly important at this time of year, because it can help your
immune system to fend off viruses like colds and flus that are particularly prevalent in the winter. Plus, vitamin D has been shown to play a role in mental health and mood. Low levels of D in the blood have been linked to depression, and many of us find that our mental health can be affected by the dark, grey days of winter. So consider getting a bit of the sunshine vitamin to brighten your day. Check out our article on supplementing with D to find out
how much vitamin D you need.
(Photography: Wiki Commons/Liberaler Humanist)